What CORI is...

Concept-Oriented Reading Instruction is a reading comprehension instructional program for grades 3–9 that integrates reading and science through activities and the use of science books during reading instruction. 3, 4 The program supplements a school’s standard science and reading curricula and offers instruction in reading strategies, scientific concepts, and inquiry skills. Concept-Oriented Reading Instruction intends to improve reading comprehension and increase reading engagement. The program aims to improve comprehension by teaching students the following strategies that they can use to better understand text they are reading (documented in the National Reading Panel Report, 2000 5): (1) activating background knowledge, (2) questioning, (3) searching for information, (4) summarizing, (5) organizing graphically, and (6) identifying story structure. The program aims to increase student engagement in reading through five practices: (1) using content-area goals for a conceptual theme during reading instruction, (2) giving students choices and control over their reading topics, (3) providing hands-on activities, (4) using interesting texts for instruction, and (5) organizing opportunities for students to collaborate and learn from text. Concept-Oriented Reading Instruction is based on the rationale that when readers are fully engaged in reading, they comprehend better, use reading strategies effectively, and are motivated to read. The developers of this intervention integrated science inquiry with reading, as this has been shown to increase both reading and science comprehension (Romance & Vitale, 1992). 6